Bodily emission analysis

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are described for use with feces of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl (23), and an output device (32). One or more light sensors (60, 62, 64, 66) receive light from the toilet bowl, while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl. A computer processor (44) analyzes the received light, and, in response thereto, determines that there is a presence of blood within the feces, and determines a source of the blood from within the subject&#39;s gastrointestinal tract. The computer processor (44) generates an output on the output device (32), at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/381,288 to Kapp-Barnea, filed Aug. 30, 2016, entitled“Bodily emission analysis.”

The present application is related to International ApplicationPCT/IL2016/050223 to Attar (published as WO 16/135735), filed Feb. 25,2016, entitled “Bodily emission analysis,” which claims priority fromU.S. Provisional Application 62/120,639 to Attar, filed Feb. 25, 2015,entitled “Apparatus and method for the remote sensing of blood in anex-vivo biological sample.”

The above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Some applications of the present invention generally relate to analysisof bodily emissions. Specifically, some applications of the presentinvention relate to apparatus and methods for analyzing bodily emissionssuch as urine and feces.

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is the development of cancer in portions of the largeintestine, such as the colon or rectum. Gastric cancer is a malignancyof the stomach. Detection of blood in feces is used as a screening toolfor colorectal cancer, as well as for gastric cancer. However, the bloodis often occult blood, i.e., blood that is not visible. The stool guaiactest is one of several methods that detect the presence of blood infeces, even in cases in which the blood is not visible. A fecal sampleis placed on a specially prepared type of paper, called guaiac paper,and hydrogen peroxide is applied. In the presence of blood, a blue colorappears on the paper. A patient who is suspected of suffering fromcolorectal cancer or gastric cancer will typically be assessed using acolonoscopy, a gastroscopy, a sigmoidoscopy, and/or external imagingtechniques, such as CT, PET, and/or MRI.

Bladder cancer is a condition in which cancerous cells multiply withinthe epithelial lining of the urinary bladder. Detection of blood inurine can be useful in screening for bladder cancer. Techniques fordetecting blood include placing a test strip that contains certainchemicals into sample of the urine and detecting a color change of thetest strip.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with some applications of the present invention, a bodilyemission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl (such asfeces or urine) is analyzed automatically. Typically, while the bodilyemission is disposed within the toilet bowl, light (which is reflectedfrom the contents of the toilet bowl) is received from the toilet bowlusing one or more light sensors, for example, one or more cameras. Usinga computer processor, one or more spectral components within thereceived light that are indicative of light absorption by a component oferythrocytes are detected, by analyzing the received light (e.g., byperforming spectral analysis on the received light). In responsethereto, the computer processor determines that there is a presence ofblood within the bodily emission.

For some applications, the computer processor estimates the amount ofthe blood within the bodily emission. For some applications, thecomputer processor determines the location within the gastrointestinaltract that is the source of the blood. For example, the computerprocessor may determine that time duration over which the blood has agedin anaerobic conditions, by analyzing spectral components within thereceived light, in order to determine the location within thegastrointestinal tract that is the source of the blood. Alternatively oradditionally, the computer processor may analyze the extent to which theblood is spread throughout the feces, and/or a location of the bloodwithin the feces, in order to determine the location within thegastrointestinal tract that is the source of the blood.

The computer processor typically generates an output on an output device(such as a phone, tablet device, server, or personal computer). For someapplications, an output is generated indicating that the subject shouldvisit a healthcare professional, and/or indicating a predicted upcominginflammatory bowel disease episode. For some applications, the outputdevice includes an output component (such as a light (e.g., an LED) or ascreen) that is built into the device. Typically, subsequent to thesubject emitting the bodily emission into the toilet bowl, theabove-described steps are performed without requiring any action to beperformed by any person. Thus, for example, the subject is not requiredto add anything to the toilet bowl in order to facilitate thedetermination of whether there is blood in the emission.

For some applications, the apparatus analyzes and logs the results ofmultiple bodily emissions of the subject over an extended period oftime, e.g., over more than one week, or more than one month. Typically,in this manner, the apparatus is configured to screen for the presenceof early stage cancer and/or polyps, which characteristically bleed onlyintermittently. For some applications, the apparatus compares the amountof blood that is detected in bodily emissions (e.g., feces), over aperiod of time, to a threshold amount.

For some applications, the apparatus and methods described herein areused to detect microorganisms within feces, and/or to detect changestherein over time. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus andmethods described herein are used to detect and classify white bloodcells within feces, and/or to detect changes therein over time.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, apparatus for use with feces of a subject that aredisposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatusincluding:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   analyze the received light;    -   in response thereto, determine that there is a presence of blood        within the feces, and determine a source of the blood from        within the subject's gastrointestinal tract; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to determinethe source of the blood by measuring an extent to which the blood isspread throughout the feces. In some applications, the computerprocessor is configured to determine the source of the blood bymeasuring a location of the blood within the feces.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generatean output by generating an output indicating that the subject shouldvisit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computerprocessor is configured to generate an output by generating an outputindicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to determinethe source of the blood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tractby measuring intensities of at least first and second spectralcomponents within the received light, and normalizing the measuredintensity of the first spectral component with respect to the measuredintensity of the second spectral component.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to measurethe intensity of the first spectral component by measuring a firstspectral component, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 590 nm and 1000 nm, and the computer processor isconfigured to measure the intensity of the second spectral component bymeasuring a second spectral component, within the received light, thatis centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to measurethe intensity of the first spectral component by measuring a firstspectral component, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm, and the computer processor isconfigured to measure the intensity of the second spectral component bymeasuring a second spectral component, within the received light, thatis centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to normalizethe measured intensity of the first spectral component with respect tothe measured intensity of the second spectral component by calculating aratio between the measured intensity of the first spectral component andthe measured intensity of the second spectral component.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to calculatethe ratio between the measured intensity of the first spectral componentand the measured intensity of the second spectral component bycalculating a ratio between a measured intensity of a first spectralcomponent, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm, and a measured intensity of asecond spectral component, within the received light, that is centeredaround a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to calculatethe ratio between the measured intensity of the first spectral componentand the measured intensity of the second spectral component bycalculating a ratio between a measured intensity of a first spectralcomponent, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 590 nm and 1000 nm, and a measured intensity of asecond spectral component, within the received light, that is centeredaround a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, a method for use with feces of a subject that aredisposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

receiving light from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors,while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl; and

using a computer processor:

-   -   analyzing the received light;    -   in response thereto, determining that there is a presence of        blood within the feces, and determining a source of the blood        from within the subject's gastrointestinal tract; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, theapparatus including:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toiletbowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   detect a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light spectrum        of a microorganism, by analyzing the received light;    -   in response thereto, determine that there is a presence of the        microorganism within the bodily emission; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and thecomputer processor is configured to determine that there is a presenceof the microorganism within the bodily emission by determining thatthere is a presence of the microorganism within the feces. In someapplications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computerprocessor is configured to determine that there is a presence of themicroorganism within the bodily emission by determining that there is apresence of the microorganism within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detect theset of three or more spectral components that have the characteristicrelationship with each other in the light spectrum of the microorganismby detecting one or more spectral components that are due tofluorescence of the microorganism.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generatean output by generating an output indicating that the subject shouldvisit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computerprocessor is configured to generate an output by generating an outputindicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, receivinglight from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors;

using a computer processor:

-   -   detecting a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light spectrum        of a microorganism, by analyzing the received light;    -   in response thereto, determining that there is a presence of the        microorganism within the bodily emission; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, theapparatus including:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toiletbowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   detect one or more spectral components that are characteristic        spectral components at which a given microorganism emits        fluorescent light, by analyzing the received light;    -   in response thereto, determine that there is a presence of the        microorganism within the bodily emission; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and thecomputer processor is configured to determine that there is a presenceof the microorganism within the bodily emission by determining thatthere is a presence of the microorganism within the feces. In someapplications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computerprocessor is configured to determine that there is a presence of themicroorganism within the bodily emission by determining that there is apresence of the microorganism within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detectthree or more spectral components that are characteristic spectralcomponents at which the given microorganism emits fluorescent light, thethree or more spectral components having a characteristic relationshipwith each other in a fluorescent spectrum of the microorganism.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generatean output by generating an output indicating that the subject shouldvisit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computerprocessor is configured to generate an output by generating an outputindicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

receiving light from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors,while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl; and

using a computer processor:

-   -   detecting one or more spectral components that are        characteristic spectral components at which a given        microorganism emits fluorescent light, by analyzing the received        light;    -   in response thereto, determining that there is a presence of the        microorganism within the bodily emission; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, theapparatus including:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toiletbowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   detect one or more spectral components that are characteristic        spectral components at which white blood cells emit fluorescent        light, by analyzing the received light;    -   in response thereto, determine that there is a presence of white        blood cells within the bodily emission; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and thecomputer processor is configured to determine that there is a presenceof the white blood cells within the bodily emission by determining thatthere is a presence of the white blood cells within the feces. In someapplications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computerprocessor is configured to determine that there is a presence of thewhite blood cells within the bodily emission by determining that thereis a presence of the white blood cells within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detectthree or more spectral components that are characteristic spectralcomponents at which the white blood cells emits fluorescent light, thethree or more spectral components having a characteristic relationshipwith each other in a fluorescent spectrum of the white blood cells.

In some applications, the computer processor is further configured toclassify the detected white blood cells as a given type of white bloodcell.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generatean output by generating an output indicating that the subject shouldvisit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computerprocessor is configured to generate an output by generating an outputindicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

receiving light from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors,while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl; and

using a computer processor:

-   -   detecting one or more spectral components that are        characteristic spectral components at which white blood cells        emit fluorescent light, by analyzing the received light;    -   in response thereto, determining that there is a presence of        white blood cells within the bodily emission; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, theapparatus including:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toiletbowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   detect a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light        absorption spectrum of a component of blood, by analyzing the        received light;    -   in response thereto, estimate an amount of blood within the        bodily emission; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to estimatethe amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating aconcentration of blood within the bodily emission. In some applications,the computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of bloodwithin the bodily emission by estimating a volume of blood within thebodily emission.

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and thecomputer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood withinthe bodily emission by estimating an amount of blood within the feces.In some applications, the bodily emission includes urine, and thecomputer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood withinthe bodily emission by estimating an amount of blood within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detect theset of three or more spectral components that have the characteristicrelationship with each other in the light absorption spectrum of thecomponent of blood by detecting a set of three or more spectralcomponents that have a characteristic relationship with each other in alight absorption spectrum of a component of blood selected from thegroup consisting of: oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin,carboxyhemoglobin, heme, and platelets.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subjectthat is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, receivinglight from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors;

using a computer processor:

-   -   detecting a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light        absorption spectrum of a component of blood, by analyzing the        received light;    -   in response thereto, estimating an amount of blood within the        bodily emission; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with thedrawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for analyzing a bodilyemission, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates components of asensor module, in accordance with some applications of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of components of an imagingcomponent of the sensor module, in accordance with respectiveapplications of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing spectrograms that were recorded from stoolsamples, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bar-chart showing aspects of spectral components that wererecorded from respective samples, during an experiment conducted inaccordance with some applications of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of an experiment that wasperformed, in accordance with some applications of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps that are performed, in accordancewith some applications of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows the optical absorption spectra of oxygenated hemoglobin(HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) in the ultraviolet, visible, andnear infrared region, as provided by Bme591wikiproject at the Englishlanguage Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3447869;

FIG. 9 shows infrared light transmission spectra that were recorded fromrespective strains of bacteria, in an experiment that was conducted inaccordance with some applications of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows ultraviolet light transmission spectra that were recordedfrom respective strains of bacteria, in the experiment that wasconducted in accordance with some applications of the present invention;and

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between the transmission oflight at 800 nm by blood, and the age of the blood in minutes, asmeasured by the inventors of the present application, and as used, inaccordance with some applications of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is shows the optical transmission spectra of blood that has agedby respective time durations in anaerobic conditions, as measured by theinventors of the present application, and as used, in accordance withsome applications of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a relationship between (a) the transmissionof light at 800 nm by blood, the transmission having been normalized bylight transmission at other wavelengths, and (b) the age of the blood inminutes, as measured by the inventors of the present application, and asused, in accordance with some applications of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a scatter plot on which ratios of light intensities that werereflected from stool samples having respective volumes of blood mixedtherewith are plotted, as measured by the inventors of the presentapplication, and as used, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration ofapparatus 20 for analyzing a bodily emission, in accordance with someapplications of the present invention. As shown, apparatus 20 typicallyincludes a sensor module 22, which is placed inside a toilet bowl 23.For some applications (not shown), the sensor module (and/or additionalcomponents of the apparatus) is integrated into the toilet bowl. Thesensor module includes an imaging component 24, which in turn includesone or more light sensors that are configured to receive light frombodily emissions (typically, urine or feces 26) that were emitted by thesubject and are disposed inside the toilet bowl. For example, the lightsensors may include a spectrometer, or may include one or more cameras,as described in further detail hereinbelow. A computer processoranalyzes the received light, and determines whether there is a presenceof blood inside the bodily emission. Typically, the computer processordetects one or more spectral components within the received light thatare indicative of light absorption by a component of erythrocytes, byanalyzing the received light (e.g., by performing spectral analysis onthe received light). (Such spectral components are referred to herein asexamples of a blood signature, since certain combinations of suchcomponents, as described herein, are indicative of the presence ofblood.) Further typically, the steps of receiving light, analyzing thereceived light, and determining whether there is a presence of bloodinside the bodily emission are performed without requiring any action tobe performed by any person (e.g., the user, a caregiver, or a healthcareprofessional) subsequent to the subject emitting the bodily emissioninto the toilet bowl.

For some applications, apparatus 20 includes a power source 28 (e.g., abattery pack), that is disposed outside the toilet bowl inside a housing30, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor moduleis connected to mains electricity (not shown). Typically, the powersource and sensor module 22 are connected wiredly (as shown), orwirelessly (not shown). In accordance with respective applications, thecomputer processor that performs the above described analysis isdisposed inside the toilet bowel (e.g., inside the same housing as thesensor module), inside housing 30, or remotely. For example, as shown,the sensor module may communicate wirelessly with a user interfacedevice 32 that includes a computer processor. Such a user interfacedevice may include, but is not limited to, a phone 34, a tablet computer36, a laptop computer 38, or a different sort of personal computingdevice. The user interface device typically acts as both an input deviceand an output device, via which the user interacts with sensor module22. The sensor module may transmit data to the user interface device andthe user interface device computer processor may run a program that isconfigured to analyze the light received by the imaging module and tothereby detect whether there is a presence of blood inside the subject'sbodily emission.

For some applications, sensor module 22 and/or the user interface devicecommunicates with a remote server. For example, the apparatus maycommunicate with a physician or an insurance company over acommunication network without intervention from the patient. Thephysician or the insurance company may evaluate the results anddetermine whether further testing or intervention is appropriate for thepatient. For some applications, data relating to the received light arestored in a memory (such as memory 46 described hereinbelow). Forexample, the memory may be disposed inside the toilet bowel (e.g.,inside the sensor unit), inside housing 30, or remotely. Periodically,the subject may submit the stored data to a facility, such as ahealthcare facility (e.g., a physician's office, or a pharmacy) or aninsurance company, and a computer processor at the facility may thenperform the above-described analysis on a batch of data relating to aplurality of bodily emissions of the subject that were acquired over aperiod of time.

It is noted that the apparatus and methods described herein include ascreening test in which the subject is not required to physically touchthe bodily emission. Furthermore, the subject is typically only requiredto touch any portion of the dedicated sensing apparatus periodically,for example, in order to install the device, or to change or rechargethe device batteries. (It is noted that the subject may handle the userinterface device, but this is typically a device (such as a phone) thatsubject handles even when not using the sensing apparatus.) Furthertypically, the apparatus and methods described herein do not requireadding anything to the toilet bowl subsequent to the subject emitting abodily emission into the toilet bowl, in order to facilitate thespectral analysis of the emission, and/or a determination that theemission contains blood. For some applications, the subject is notrequired to perform any action after installation of the apparatus inthe toilet bowl. The testing is automatic and handled by the apparatus,and monitoring of the subject's emissions is seamless to the subject anddoes not require compliance by the subject, so long as no abnormality isdetected.

Typically, subsequent to the subject emitting a bodily emission into thetoilet bowl (and typically once the subject has finished excreting thebodily emission, and the bodily emission is at least partially disposedwithin the water of the toilet bowl), the bodily emission is imaged byreceiving reflected and/or transmitted light from the toilet bowl,without requiring any action to be performed by any person subsequent tothe emission. For some applications, the bodily emission is analyzedduring the emission of the bodily emission into the toilet bowl.Typically, the computer processor (a) analyzes (e.g., spectrallyanalyzes) the received light, (b) in response thereto, determineswhether that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission(and/or performs the additional functionalities described herein withrespect to the bodily emission), and (c) generates an output at leastpartially in response thereto, all without requiring any action to beperformed by any person subsequent to the emission. It is noted that forsome applications, an input is requested from the subject, via the userinterface device, if an indication of the presence of blood in thebodily emission is detected, as described in further detail hereinbelow.However, even for such applications, it is determined that there is apresence of blood based upon the automatic spectral analysis, and theuser input is used in order to determine the source of the blood, and/orto determine whether or not the source of the blood is a cause forconcern.

For some applications, for each emission of the subject, in the case ofpositive signal, the apparatus reports the finding to the patient via anoutput device, e.g., via user interface device 32. For someapplications, the output device includes an output component (such as alight (e.g., an LED) or a screen) that is built into apparatus 20. Forsome applications, if the analysis of the bodily emission indicates thatthere is blood present inside the emission, the computer processordrives the user interface to request an input from the subject, byasking the user some verification questions. For example, the userinterface device may ask the user “Did you eat red meat in the 24 hoursprior to your recent stool emission?” since red meat consumption maycause a false positive due to the meat containing blood. Alternativelyor additionally, the user interface device may ask the user “Have youused aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs?” since theintake of such drugs has been shown to cause bleeding in the stomach orgastrointestinal tract of susceptible individuals. For someapplications, the data are analyzed locally but the results aretransmitted to the healthcare provider or to insurance carrier over anetwork connection.

For some applications, the apparatus monitors bodily emissions of thesubject over an extended period of time, e.g., over more than one week,or more than one month. Typically, in this manner, the apparatus isconfigured to screen for the presence of malignancies and/or polyps,which characteristically bleed only intermittently. For someapplications, the apparatus compares the amount of blood that isdetected in bodily emissions (e.g., feces), over a period of time, to athreshold amount. It is known that there is a level of normal,physiologic, non-pathogenic gastro-intestinal bleeding, which has beenestimated as averaging less than 2 ml/day. Intestinal bleeding that isgreater than 2 ml/day is considered abnormal. (It is noted that theprecise amount that is considered abnormal may differ for each person,depending, for example, on age and sex. Thus, for example, for maturewomen, normal blood concentration in stool may be considered to be below64 microgram/gram, whereas for mature males anything above 20microgram/gram may be considered abnormal.) Therefore, for someapplications, the threshold is calibrated to enhance specificity of thesensing, such that alerts will not be generated if the level of bleedingis consistent with normal, physiologic, non-pathogenic gastro-intestinalbleeding, but will generate an alert, if, for example, the level ofbleeding is indicative of the presence of cancer and/or polyps.

For some applications, the computer processor which analyzes thereceived light utilizes machine learning techniques, such as anomalydetection and/or outlier detection. For example, the computer processormay be configured to perform individualized anomaly detection or outlierdetection that learns the patterns of output signals from each subjectand detects abnormal changes in the characteristic blood signature ofthe subject. As described hereinabove, for some applications, thecomputer processor that performs the analysis is remote from and/orseparate from the sensor module. For some applications, the sensormodule is disposable, but even after disposal of the sensor module thecomputer processor has access to historic data relating to the subject,such that the historic data can be utilized in the machine learningtechniques.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram thatschematically illustrates components of sensor module 22, in accordancewith some applications of the present invention. As describedhereinabove, sensor module is typically disposed inside a toilet bowl.Further typically, the sensor module includes an imaging component,which in turn includes one or more light sensors that are configured toreceive light from bodily emissions that were emitted by the subject andare disposed inside the toilet bowl. The imaging component is describedin further detail hereinbelow, with reference to FIGS. 3A-B. Typically,the sensor module is housed in a water-resistant housing. Furthertypically, the face of the sensor module underneath which the imagingcomponent is mounted is covered with a transparent, water-resistantcover. It is noted that FIG. 1 shows the sensor module disposed abovethe water level of the water within the toilet bowl. However, for someapplications, at least a portion of the sensor module (e.g., the entiresensor module) is submerged within the water in the toilet bowl.

For some applications, the sensor module includes a subject sensor 40.The subject sensor is configured to detect when a subject is on or inthe vicinity of the toilet, and/or if the subject has defecated and/orurinated into the toilet bowl. For example, the subject sensor mayinclude a motion sensor, configured to sense the motion of feces, urine,the subject, or the water in the toilet bowl. Alternatively oradditionally, the subject sensor may include a light sensor configuredto detect when the light in the bathroom is switched on, or when thesubject sits on the toilet. For some applications, the light sensorsthat are used for detecting light from the bodily emission are also usedfor the aforementioned function. For some such applications, the sensormodule is configured to be in standby mode most of the time (such thatthe sensor module uses a reduced amount of power). The sensor module isswitched on in response to detecting that the subject is on or in thevicinity of the toilet, and/or that the subject has defecated and/orurinated into the toilet bowl. Typically, the imaging component of thesensor module acquires images in response to detecting that the subjectis on or in the vicinity of the toilet, and/or that the subject hasdefecated and/or urinated into the toilet bowl. For some applications,the subject switches on the sensor module manually.

For some applications, the sensor module includes a vibrating component42 that is typically configured to vibrate feces that is inside thetoilet bowl. The vibrating element may include an ultrasonic vibrator, amechanical element that is moved by a motor, and/or a pump configured toemit jets of water. The vibrating element is typically configured tobreak feces into smaller pieces such that blood that is disposed insidethe piece of feces becomes visible to the imaging component. It is notedthat, for some applications, the vibrating component is disposed in thetoilet bowl separately from the sensor module. For some applications, avibrating component is not used, but apparatus 20 is able to determinewhether there is blood present in feces to a sufficient level ofspecificity, due to the feces breaking upon falling into the toilet bowland impacting the toilet bowl.

Typically, the sensor module includes a computer processor 44, a memory46, and a communication module 48. Computer processor 44 is configuredto drive the imaging component to perform the functions describedherein. For some applications, the computer processor is furtherconfigured to perform the analysis functions described herein. For suchapplications, computer processor 44 typically communicates the resultsof the analysis (e.g., a positive detection of blood in feces) to aremote device, such as user interface device 32 (FIG. 1), viacommunication module 48. Alternatively, as described hereinabove, theanalysis of the received light may be performed by a remote computerprocessor, e.g., a computer processor that is part of the user interfacedevice. For such applications, computer processor 44 typicallycommunicates raw imaging data, and/or light signals to the remotecomputer processor, via communication module 48. For some applications,computer processor stores data in memory 46. The data may include rawdata, which may subsequently be retrieved and analyzed, and/or theresults of the spectral analysis of the light received by the imagingcomponent. Memory 46 may include a memory card, such as an SD card thatcan be physically removed. Communication module is typically configuredto communicate with external devices (e.g., user interface device 32)using known protocols, such as Wifi, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or any nearfield communication (NFC) protocol.

For some applications, sensor module 22 includes an indicator 50, e.g.,a visual indicator (such as an LED light), or an audio indicator (forexample, a speaker that is configured to emit a beep), the indicatorbeing configured to indicate to the subject when a sample has beensuccessfully imaged, and/or when data has been successfully transmittedto a remote device, such as user interface device 32. It is noted that,although not shown, the indicator typically interacts with othercomponents of the sensor module such as the computer processor and/orthe communication module.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3A-B are schematic illustrations ofcomponents of imaging component 24, in accordance with respectiveapplications of the present invention. Imaging component 24 is typicallydisposed on a face of sensor module 22 that faces toward the water inthe toilet bowl. FIGS. 3A-B is schematic illustrations of theaforementioned face of the sensor module.

As described in further detail hereinbelow, typically in order to detecta blood signature within a bodily emission, particular spectral bandswithin light that is reflected from and/or transmitted by the bodilyemission are detected. Typically, the spectral bands are centered arounda wavelength that is in the range of 530 nm to 785 nm (e.g., between 530nm and 600 nm). Further typically, two or more spectral bands aredetected that are centered around approximately 540 nm, 565 nm, and 575nm. For some applications, other spectral bands that are indicative ofthe presence of blood are measured. For example, a spectral bandcentered around approximately 425 nm (e.g., between 420 and 430 nm)and/or a spectral band centered around approximately 500 nm (e.g.,between 490 and 510 nm) may be detected. The widths of the spectralbands are typically greater than 3 nm (e.g., greater than 5 nm, orgreater than 8 nm), and/or less than 40 nm (e.g., less than 20 nm, or 12nm), e.g., between 3 and 40 nm, between 5 and 20 nm or between 8 and 12nm. A spectral band that is described herein as being centered aroundapproximately a given spectral value should be interpreted as includinga spectral band centered around the given value plus/minus 5 nm.

Referring to FIG. 3A, for some applications, imaging component 24 ofsensor module 22 includes a light source 68 (e.g., an LED light emitter,or a different type of light) that emits white light. In addition, theimaging module includes two or more cameras, which act as light sensors.The two or more cameras may include a color camera 60, and/or amonochrome camera that includes a filter such as to detect a first oneof the above-described spectral bands (camera 62), a second one of theabove-described spectral bands (camera 64), and/or a third one of theabove-described spectral bands (camera 66). The cameras act as lightsensors of apparatus 20, and the light source acts to illuminate thetoilet bowl and the bodily emission. For some applications, all fourcameras are used in the imaging component. For some applications, adifferent type of light sensor (e.g., a spectrometer) is used asalternative to, or in addition to, cameras.

For some applications, the computer processor of apparatus 20 isconfigured to identify spectral components within respective portions ofthe bodily emission, by analyzing respective pixels within the imagesacquired by the cameras, on an individual basis. In order to identifythe spectral components of a given portion of the bodily emission, thecomputer processor determines a correspondence between pixels of imagesthat were acquired by respective cameras. Typically, irrespective of howmany cameras are used, all of the cameras are disposed in closeproximity to one another, e.g., such that all of the cameras aredisposed within an area of less than 10 square centimeters (e.g., anarea of less than 5 square centimeters, or an area of less than 1 squarecentimeter). For some applications, using cameras that are disposed inclose proximity to one another facilitates determining thecorrespondence between pixels of images that were acquired by respectivecameras.

Referring to FIG. 3B, for some applications, imaging component 24 ofsensor module 22 includes color camera 60, and includes two or morelight sources (e.g., LED lights or other types of lights) that emitlight at respective spectral bands. The two or more light sourcestypically include light source 68 (which as described with reference toFIG. 3A is configured to emit white light) and/or light sources that areconfigured to emit light at a first one of the above-described spectralbands (light source 72), a second one of the above-described spectralbands (light source 74), and/or a third one of the above-describedspectral bands (light source 76). For some applications, narrowbandfilters are mounted upon one or more of the light sources. The cameraacts as a light sensor of apparatus 20, and the light sources act toilluminate the toilet bowl and the bodily emission. For someapplications, all four light sources are used in the imaging component.

It is noted that for some applications, the imaging component does notinclude a light source, and the light sensors of the imaging component(e.g., the cameras) rely upon ambient light. Alternatively, the lightsource and the light sensors of the imaging component may be disposed ondifferent sides of the toilet bowl from one another. For someapplications, the imaging component is configured to detect opticaltransmission and/or optical reflectance of the bodily emission.Alternatively or additionally, the imaging component is configured todetect optical absorption of the bodily emission. In general, the scopeof the present application includes detecting spectral components of thelight spectrum of a bodily emission as described herein, by detectingand/or calculating the intensity of the spectral components in opticalreflectance, optical transmission, and/or optical absorption spectra ofthe bodily emission and/or water in the toilet bowl that is in contactwith the bodily emission. For some applications, rather than using oneor more cameras, which are configured to detect light on apixel-by-pixel basis, a spectrometer is used to detect the overallspectrum of light that is reflected from the bodily emission, and toanalyze the reflected light.

For some applications, color camera 60 is a multispectral camera or ahyperspectral camera. For example, a hyperspectral camera may be used toacquire images of a bodily emission, and the computer processor mayanalyze the data by generating a hypercube of data that contains twospatial dimensions and one wavelength dimension. The computer processormay determine whether or not there is blood in the bodily emission, byanalyzing the hypercube.

It is further noted that the particular arrangements of light sourcesand light sensors shown in FIGS. 3A-B are examples, and the scope of thepresent invention includes using alternative or additional arrangementsof light sources and/or light detectors. For example, more or fewer thanfour light sources and/or light sensors may be used. Similarly, thelight sources and/or light sensors may be arranged in a differentconfiguration to those shown in FIGS. 3A-B. The scope of the presentinvention includes using any combination of light sensors and lightsources, arranged in any configuration that would facilitatemeasurements as described herein being performed.

Typically, the light sensors of imaging component 24 of the sensormodule 22 acquire images in response to detecting that the subject is onor in the vicinity of the toilet, and/or that the subject has defecatedand/or urinated into the toilet bowl, as described hereinabove. For someapplications, during the acquisitions of images by camera(s) 60, 62, 64,and/or 66, bursts of images are acquired at given time intervals. Forexample, a burst may be acquired once every 3 seconds, every 5 second,or every 10 seconds. Each burst of images typically contains between 1and 8 images, e.g., between 3 and 5 images. Typically, all of the imagesthat are acquired of a given emission are acquired within a total timethat is less than 20 seconds, such that there is no substantial movementof the bodily emission between the acquisitions of respective imageswithin each burst. For some applications, the maximum exposure time perimage frame is typically 10 ms. Alternatively, the exposure time perimage frame may be more than 10 ms, e.g., more than 35 ms.

The apparatus and methods described herein utilize the light reflectedback from erythrocytes and collected by light sensors. In someembodiments, this light can be reflected from the ambient light sourceand in other embodiments a light source is an integral part of thesystem. In some embodiments, such a light source can be an LED of one orseveral wavelengths, or a broadband light source with a bandpass filter.As described hereinabove, erythrocytes have a distinct spectralsignature, which is reflected from the tested medium and can be detectedby light sensors, the signature being referred to herein as the bloodsignature.

For some applications, the sensor module detects a presence of blood inthe bodily emission in response to detecting that the value returned bya mathematical function of the absorption, transmission, and/orreflectance of two or more wavelengths or weighted functions ofwavelengths return a certain value. As described hereinabove, for someapplications, the sensor module transmits the output of the lightsensors to user interface device 32 (FIG. 1) and software that is run bya computer processor on the device performs the analysis.

In general, apparatus 20 typically includes illumination source(s)(i.e., light source(s)) for irradiating biological fluids that areexcreted from patient and pass in the toilet bowl water. For someapplications, radiation (e.g., radiation in the visible light range) isemitted at various wavelengths of interest, to evaluate the opticalsignature of the specimen. A light detector is positioned with respectto the light source(s) on the opposite side, the same side, or anywhereelse in the toilet bowl. For example, the light detectors may face thelight source(s) such as to detect light from the light source(s) thatpasses through the bodily emission, and/or through water in the toiletbowl that is in contact with the bodily emission. It is noted thatalthough some applications of the present invention relate to using thedetection of radiation in the visible light range to perform thetechniques described herein, the scope of the present invention includesusing radiation at any spectral band to perform techniques describedhere, mutatis mutandis.

For some applications, a white light broadband illumination source isused (e.g., white light source 68), and the light detector may compriseat least two light detectors (e.g., two or more of cameras 60, 62, 64,and 66). Each light detector may comprise a different filter forcollecting light at a different wavelength, after passing through thebiological fluids. The filters may be narrow band filters, interferencefilters, absorbing filters, or diffractive optical element (DOE)filters.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a graph showing spectrogramsthat were recorded from stool samples, in accordance with someapplications of the present invention. A raw human stool sample and ahuman stool sample into which 0.2 ml of blood had been injected wereplaced inside a glass container (with dimensions 86×86×90 mm) thatcontained tap water to a height of about 70 mm (˜500 cc of water). WhiteLED light in the range of 400-700 nm and an intensity of approximately220 lumens was directed into the container, and spectrograms of thelight that was reflected from the container were acquired using astandard spectrometer.

The thicker curve is the spectrogram that was obtained from the rawstool sample, and the thinner curve is the spectrogram that was obtainedfrom the stool with blood. As may be observed, in the enlarged portionof the graph, the spectrogram that was obtained from the sample thatincludes blood includes a characteristic trough-peak-trough shape atapproximately 540 nm (trough), 565 nm (peak) and 575 nm (trough). Thischaracteristic shape is an example of a blood signature, the shape beingindicative of the presence of blood. Specifically, this shape indicateslight absorption by oxyhemoglobin, which is present in erythrocytes inthe blood.

The above results indicate that a blood signature can be detected withina stool sample under certain conditions. Furthermore, the above resultswere obtained by using a spectrogram which analyzes the overall spectralprofile of the sample. If analyzing the sample on a pixel-by-pixelbasis, as is the case in certain applications of the present invention,the blood signature can be expected to be detected with greatersensitivity and specificity.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a bar-chart showing ratios ofspectral components that were recorded from respective samples, duringan experiment conducted in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention. Using the technique described above with respect toFIG. 4, the spectrograms of a plurality of sample were analyzed. Thesample included:

1. Fresh beet.

2. Raw fresh meat.

3. A fecal sample that did not contain blood.

4. A second fecal sample that did not contain blood.

5. A mixture of rum and red food colorant.

6. A sample containing feces and 0.2 ml of blood, in which the samplewas not mixed.

7. A sample containing feces and 0.2 ml of blood, in which the samplewas mixed once by stirring with a rod.

8. A sample containing feces and 0.2 ml of blood, in which the samplewas mixed twice by stirring with a rod.

9. A sample containing feces and 5 drops of blood, in which the samplewas not mixed.

10. A sample containing feces and 5 drops of blood, in which the samplewas mixed twice by stirring with a rod.

The blood was obtained from a blood bank and had been preserved incitrate.

For each of the samples, the received spectrogram was analyzed bycalculating two ratios. Ratio 1 was the ratio of the intensity of a 10nm band centered around 565 nm, to the intensity of a 10 nm bandcentered around 575 nm (I(565)/I(575)). Ratio 2 was the ratio of theintensity of a 10 nm band centered around 565 nm, to the intensity of a10 nm band centered around 540 nm (I(565)/I(540)). For the purpose ofthe experiment, thresholds were set at 1.05 for ratio 1 and 0.8 forratio 2, such that if ratio 1 would exceed 1.05 and ratio 2 would exceed0.8, this would be an indication that the sample contains blood. This isbecause a sample that contains blood would be expected to have a bloodsignature with a characteristic trough-peak-trough shape atapproximately 540 nm (trough), 565 nm (peak) and 575 nm (trough),whereas for a sample that does not contain blood, the slope of thespectrogram could be expected to increase between 540 nm and 575 nm, asshown in the thick curve of FIG. 4. The results are indicated in thebar-chart shown in FIG. 5 and are summarized in the table below:

Both ratios indicate that Sample Contained human blood sample containsblood 1 No No 2 No (but contained animal Yes erythrocytes) 3 No No 4 NoNo 5 No No 6 Yes No 7 Yes Yes 8 Yes Yes 9 Yes Yes 10 Yes Yes

As may be observed based on FIG. 5 and the above table, in general usingthe above-described ratios and thresholds, blood was detected in fecesin four out of five cases. Using the above-described ratios andthresholds, in general, blood was not detected in cases in which bloodhad not been present in the sample, except for the meat sample (sample2), which is discussed below. These results indicate that blood can bedetected in a bodily emission by spectrally analyzing the emission,using techniques as described herein. Therefore, for some applicationsof the present invention, spectral bands that are centered around awavelength that is in the range of 530 nm to 785 nm (e.g., between 530nm and 600 nm) are detected. Typically, two or more spectral bands aredetected that are centered around approximately 540 nm, 565 nm, and 575nm. The widths of the spectral bands are typically greater than 3 nm(e.g., greater than 5 nm, or greater than 8 nm), and/or less than 40 nm(e.g., less than 20 nm, or less than 12 nm), e.g., between 3 and 40 nm,between 5 and 20 nm, or between 8 and 12 nm. For some applications, oneor more ratios of the intensities of the aforementioned spectral bandswith respect to one another are determined. For example, the ratio ofthe intensity of the spectral band that is centered around approximately565 nm to that of the band centered around approximately 575 nm (or viceversa) may be determined, and/or the ratio of the intensity of thespectral band that is centered around approximately 565 nm to that ofthe band centered around approximately 540 nm (or vice versa) may bedetermined. For some applications, a different relationship between theintensities of the aforementioned spectral bands with respect to oneanother is determined. For some applications, a relationship between aparameter of the respective spectral bands other than intensity isdetermined. For some applications, other spectral bands that areindicative of the presence of blood are measured. For example, resultsof experiments performed by the inventors upon whole blood within waterindicated that there is a trough in the reflectance spectrum atapproximately 425 nm. In the experiment described with reference to FIG.5, some of the fecal samples with blood exhibited peaks in theirreflectance spectra at approximately 500 nm. Therefore, for someapplications, a spectral band centered around approximately 425 nm(e.g., between 420 and 430 nm) and/or a spectral band centered aroundapproximately 500 nm (e.g., between 490 and 510 nm) is detected.

It is noted that the results shown in FIG. 5 and summarized in the abovetable reflect a portion of the samples that were analyzed. In general,there were no false positives, except for when the meat sample wasanalyzed. This is to be expected, since raw fresh meat has residues ofanimal blood, which dissolves in the water. In accordance with someapplications of the present invention, such false positives are reducedby asking the subject questions, such as whether the subject ate redmeat within a given times interval of defecating, as describedhereinabove.

False negatives were found when blood was injected into solid feces anddid not reach the water (which was the case in sample 6). In accordancewith some applications of the present invention, such false negativesare reduced by mixing, vibrating, and/or agitating feces inside thetoilet bowl, in accordance with techniques described herein. It is notedthat in the experiment, blood was mixed with the stool when the stoolwas disposed inside the glass container. Typically, when a persondefecates into a toilet bowl, the feces are agitated by virtue of thefeces falling into and impacting the toilet bowl. Therefore, for someapplications of the present invention, no active agitation is providedto the feces disposed in the toilet bowl. In addition, there were falsenegatives (not shown in FIG. 5) in cases in which blood with beet wasused as the sample. For some applications of the present invention, suchfalse negatives are reduced by using greater light intensity than wasused in the above-described experiment. It is further noted that since,in accordance with some applications, the analysis of bodily emissionsis performed over a period of time, if hidden blood is missed in someemissions, it is likely to be detected in others.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a graph showing the results ofa simulation that was performed, in accordance with some applications ofthe present invention. Spectrograms of (a) feces and (b) five drops ofblood obtained in an experiment as described hereinabove were used. Thespectrogram of the five drops of blood was divided by five, to simulatethe spectrogram of one drop, and to improve signal-to-noise ratiorelative the spectrogram of a single drop of blood being used. Asimulation was performed in order to artificially mix the spectra, suchas to produce the effect of feces mixed with respective amount of blood.The above-described first and second ratios were then calculated forincreasing bandwidths of spectral filter. FIG. 6 is a plot showing theminimum number of drops that was detectable for each bandwidth. It maybe observed that up until a bandwidth of 20 nm, two drops of blood weredetectable, whereas for bandwidths of 30 nm and more, a minimum of threedrops of blood were required in order for the blood to be detectable.Therefore, for some applications of the present invention, two or morespectral bands are detected that are centered around approximately 540nm, 565 nm, and 575 nm, and the widths of the spectral bands aretypically greater than 3 nm (e.g., greater than 5 nm, or greater than 8nm), and/or less than 40 nm (e.g., less than 20 nm, or less than 12 nm),e.g., between 3 and 40 nm, between 5 and 20 nm, or between 8 and 12 nm.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart showing steps of aprocedure that is performed, in accordance with some applications of thepresent invention.

In a first step (step 80), sensor module 22 (e.g., subject sensor 40 ofthe sensor module) detects a presence of the subject in a vicinity of oron the toilet, and/or detects that a bodily emission has been emittedinto the toilet, as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 2. Inresponse thereto, imaging component 24 of the sensor module receiveslight from the toilet bowl, typically by acquiring images using one ormore cameras (e.g., one or more multispectral cameras, or one or morehyperspectral cameras) (step 82). As noted hereinabove, the scope of thepresent invention includes receiving radiation at any spectral band, andis not limited to receiving radiation in the visible light range.

The received light is analyzed (e.g. spectrally analyzed) by a computerprocessor, which may be computer processor 44 of the sensor module, or adifferent computer processor, as described hereinabove. Typically,spectral bands are detected that centered around a wavelength that is inthe range of 530 nm to 785 nm (e.g., between 530 nm and 600 nm). Furthertypically, blood-signature spectral components are detected (step 84).For example, one or more spectral components within the received lightthat are indicative of light absorption by a component of erythrocytes(e.g., oxyhemoglobin) may be detected. As described hereinabove, forsome applications of the present invention, two or more spectral bandsare detected that are centered around approximately 540 nm, 565 nm, and575 nm. For some applications, other spectral bands that are indicativeof the presence of blood are measured. For example, a spectral bandcentered around approximately 425 nm (e.g., between 420 and 430 nm)and/or a spectral band centered around approximately 500 nm (e.g.,between 490 and 510 nm) may be detected. (As noted hereinabove, aspectral band that is described herein as being centered aroundapproximately a given spectral value should be interpreted as includinga spectral band centered around the given value plus/minus 5 nm.) Forsome applications, the detected spectral components are analyzed bycalculating ratios of the intensities of respective components withrespect to one another (step 86), for example, as described hereinabove.Alternatively or additionally, the spectral components may be analyzedin a different manner. (Step 86 is inside a dashed box to indicate thatthe specific step of calculating ratios is optional.) In response to thespectral analysis, the computer processor detects blood (step 88) andgenerates an output (step 90), for example, on user interface device 32.

The scope of the present invention includes detecting any spectralcomponents that are indicative of light absorption by a component oferythrocytes, for example spectral components that are indicative ofhemoglobin methemoglobin, and/or heme. For some applications, spectralcomponents that are indicative of light absorption of urine and/or fecesare detected. For some applications, the computer processor determineswhether there is feces and/or urine together with blood, in order toconfirm that detected blood is blood that is associated with fecesand/or urine and is not from a different source. In addition, the scopeof the present invention includes determining any type of relationshipbetween parameters (e.g., intensities) of respective spectral bandswithin the received light and is not limited to determining ratiosbetween the parameters (e.g., intensities) of the respective spectralbands. Furthermore, even for applications in which ratios 1 and 2 asdescribed hereinabove are calculated, the thresholds that are describedas having been used are illustrative, and the scope of the presentinvention includes using different thresholds to those describedhereinabove. For example, for applications in which calibrated lightsensors are used, a threshold of more than 1 and/or less than 1.5 (e.g.,between 1 and 1.5) may be used for ratio 1 (i.e., I(565)/I(575)), and athreshold of more than 0.7 and/or less than 1 (e.g., between 0.7 and 1)may be used for ratio 2 (i.e., I(565)/I(540)). For applications in whichthe light sensors are uncalibrated, the ratios may be different.

It is noted that, at this stage, the output may indicate a suspicion ofthe subject's blood being in the bodily emission. For some applications,in order to confirm the suspicion, the user is requested to provide aninput by the user being asked confirmatory questions (the answers towhich are typically indicative of the source of the detected blood), asdescribed hereinabove. The computer processor receives the input fromthe subject regarding the confirmatory questions (step 92). If the inputfrom the user indicates that the detection of blood was not a falsepositive (that may have been caused, for example, by the subject havingeaten red meat), then the computer processor logs that a blood event hasoccurred (step 94). For example, the computer processor may log theevent on memory 46 of the sensor module. For some applications, theblood event is logged even without receiving an input from the user(step 92). For example, the computer processor may account for falsepositives in a different manner, such as by incorporating a likelihoodof false positives into a threshold that is used to monitor blood eventsover a long-term period. (Step 92 is inside a dashed box to indicatethat this step is optional.)

Typically, steps 80-90 of FIG. 7 (the steps inside the large dashed box)are performed without requiring any action by the subject or any otherperson, subsequent to the subject emitting a bodily emission into thetoilet bowl.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which shows the optical absorptionspectra of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb)in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared light region, as providedby Bme591wikiproject at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3447869. As describedhereinabove, for some applications, a blood signature is detected bydetecting two or more (and, typically, three or more) spectralcomponents that are indicative of a characteristic shape of a lightabsorption curve of a component of blood. For example, as describedhereinabove, a characteristic trough-peak-trough shape at approximately540 nm (trough), 565 nm (peak) and 575 nm (trough) may be detected. Thischaracteristic shape is an example of a blood signature, the shape beingindicative of the presence of blood. Specifically, this shape indicateslight absorption by oxyhemoglobin, which is present in erythrocytes inthe blood.

The scope of the present invention includes identifying any set of threeor more spectral components that have a characteristic relationship witheach other in the light absorption spectrum of a component of blood.Typically, the three or more components are within the ultraviolet,visible, and/or near infrared light regions of the spectrum. Forexample, a set of three or more spectral components that have acharacteristic relationship with each other in the light absorptionspectrum of deoxyhemoglobin may be detected. With reference to FIG. 8,an example of such a set of three components is the peak-trough-peakshape exhibited at approximately 435 nm (peak), 480 nm (trough), and 555nm (peak), in the deoxyhemoglobin light absorption spectrum. For someapplications, one of the three spectral components that is used toidentify blood is approximately 425 nm (e.g., between 420 and 430 nm).For some applications, one of the three spectral components that is usedto identify blood is approximately 500 nm (e.g., between 490 nm and 510nm). (It is noted that the relationship between these components in thelight reflected from the bodily emission will be different to that shownin FIG. 8, since FIG. 8 shows the absorption spectra of oxyhemoglobinand deoxyhemoglobin. The reflected or transmitted light spectrum willexhibit a trough-peak-trough shape, where the absorption spectrumexhibits a peak-trough-peak shape, and vice versa. Similarly, thetrough-peak-trough pattern in the oxyhemoglobin curve shown in FIG. 4(which shows the reflected light spectrum) appears as a peak-trough-peakpattern in FIG. 8.) For some applications, a set of three or morespectral components that have a characteristic relationship with eachother in the light absorption spectrum of a different component of bloodis detected. For example, the component of blood may include a componentof the blood that is present in erythrocytes (e.g., met-hemoglobin,carboxyhemoglobin, and/or heme), and/or a non-erythrocytic component(such as, platelets).

As described hereinabove, for some applications, spectral bands that arecentered around the spectral components of interest are detected. Thewidths of the spectral bands are typically greater than 3 nm (e.g.,greater than 5 nm, or greater than 8 nm), and/or less than 40 nm (e.g.,less than 20 nm, or less than 12 nm), e.g., between 3 and 40 nm, between5 and 20 nm, or between 8 and 12 nm.

Typically, in order to distinguish the blood component from othercomponents within the bodily emission, a set of at least three spectralcomponents is detected, in accordance with the techniques describedhereinabove. However, the scope of the present invention includesdetecting two or more spectral components that have a characteristicrelationship with one another in the absorption spectrum of a componentof blood. Typically, the components are within the ultraviolet, visible,and/or near infrared light regions of the spectrum, e.g., between 400 nmand 600 nm.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which shows infrared light transmissionspectra that were recorded from respective strains of bacteria, in anexperiment that was conducted in accordance with some applications ofthe present invention. Reference is also made to FIG. 10, which showsultraviolet light transmission spectra that were recorded fromrespective strains of bacteria.

In the experiment, the serotypes O25, O87 of Escherichia coli (“E.coli”) as well as Lactobacillus plantarum (“L. plantarum”) strains wereused. All bacteria were grown on Tryptic soy broth (Sigma-Aldrich)medium at 37° C. overnight. The fresh cultures were placed on Petridishes in equal volumes (5 mL) and subjected to spectral analysis. Theexperiment was performed over two sessions, using different cultures ofbacteria. In the first session, E. coli O25 and L. plantarum were used,and in the second session, all three of the aforementioned strains wereused. As a reference, an additional 5 ml of fresh and clean Tryptic soybroth medium in a Petri dish was used.

Each dish was tested for light transmission using a spectrometer(StellarNet, BLUE-Wave Miniature Spectrometer) attached to an opticfiber (StellarNet, F600 VIS-NIR) and connected to a computer via a USBport. The computer was running SpectraWiz software allowing the readingof photon counts with a wavelength of 200 nm to 1000 nm using thesoftware's scope mode over a set period of time (integration time).

Light sources were used with three different wavelength ranges: white(OPT machine vision PI0803, 400 nm-750 nm), ultraviolet (OPT machinevision PI0803, 360 nm-410 nm) and infrared (860 nm-1000 nm).

The light source and detector were placed on a vertical stand, with thePetri dish placed between the source and the detector, such that thedetector would receive photons transmitted from the Petri dish. Duringthe experiment, ambient light was turned off. Initially, the lightsource was turned on and placed just below the reference dish and opticsensor. Intensity was measured using SpectraWiz software with differentintegration times in order to find the lowest integration time with thehighest peak without saturation (i.e., up to a count of 50,000 photons).Subsequently, the light source was turned off, in order to set the darkspectrum. After doing so each dish was tested for intensity using thelight source. For each light source, a new integration time and darkspectrum was set while examining the highest peak of the reference dish.To calculate the transmission of light of the respective strains ofbacteria, the intensity of each bacteria strain was divided by theintensity of the reference in order to receive the fraction of lighttransmitted by the bacteria strain.

FIG. 9 shows the transmission of the respective strains of bacteria thatwere recorded in the second session, when the infrared light source wasused. The top (solid) curve is the transmission spectrum of E. coli 25,the middle (dashed) curve is the transmission spectrum of E. coli 87,and the bottom (dotted curve) is the transmission spectrum of the L.plantarum. It can be observed that there is a difference between thetransmission spectra of the respective strains of bacteria. FIG. 10shows the transmission of the respective strains of bacteria that wererecorded in the second session, when the ultraviolet light source wasused. Here too, it can be observed that there is a difference betweenthe transmission spectra of the respective strains of bacteria. Similarresults were observed when the visible light source was used. Withrespect to the ultraviolet transmission spectrum shown in FIG. 10, it ishypothesized that at least some of the transmitted light is due tofluorescence of the bacteria.

Therefore, in accordance with some applications of the presentinvention, light that is transmitted or reflected from a bodily emission(e.g., feces and/or urine) is analyzed in order to identify one or morestrains of bacteria, or other microorganisms, that are present in thebodily emission. For some applications, the analysis is performedautomatically subsequent to the subject releasing the bodily emissioninto a toilet bowl, in accordance with the techniques describedhereinabove. For some applications, light (e.g., ultraviolet, visible,and/or infrared light is transmitted toward the bodily emission) istransmitted toward the bodily emission, and the light that istransmitted from the bodily emission is detected and analyzed. Thetransmitted light that is detected may be due to reflectance frommicroorganisms, and/or due to fluorescence of the microorganisms.

It is noted with respect to the enlarged portions of the spectra shownin FIGS. 9 and 10 that the spectra of the respective strains of bacteriainclude spectral components that have characteristic relationships witheach other. For example, L. plantarum has a trough-peak-trough patternat 854 nm, 857 nm and 859 nm. Similarly, the E. coli 87 has atrough-peak-trough pattern at 852 nm, 854 nm and 859 nm. In accordancewith these results, for some applications the methods and apparatusdescribed herein for detecting blood inside a bodily emission are usedto detect the presence of a given type of microorganism (e.g., aparasitic microorganism, such as a bacterium, a virus, or a fungus) thatmay be present in the bodily emission. For example, the microorganismmay have a characteristic light spectrum (e.g., transmission spectrum,reflectance spectrum, absorption spectrum, and/or fluorescencespectrum). Typically, the microorganism is detected by detecting a setof three or more spectral components that have a characteristicrelationship with each other in the light spectrum of the microorganism.For some applications, the microorganism is detected by detecting a setof two or more spectral components that have a characteristicrelationship with each other in the light spectrum of the microorganism.Typically, the spectral components are within the ultraviolet, visibleand/or near infrared light regions of the spectrum. For someapplications, the detected spectral components are due to fluorescenceof the microorganism. For some applications, the computer processordetermines a level of infection of the subject's gastrointestinal tractbased upon the fluorescence signal of the microorganism. For some suchapplications, in response thereto, the computer processor generates anoutput indicating that the subject is currently suffering from acondition such as inflammatory bowel disease and/or dysentery, and/orpredicting an upcoming event related to such a condition. Alternativelyor additionally, the computer processor may generate an outputrecommending that the subject see a healthcare professional.

For some applications of the present invention, the apparatus andmethods described herein are used to detect white blood cells within abodily emission (such as feces or urine), and/or to classify the whiteblood cells, e.g., by distinguishing between leukocytes monocytes,neutrophils and/or eosinophils. For example, the computer processor maydetect a presence of white blood cells, and/or an amount (e.g., aconcentration, a count, and/or a volume) of white blood cells. For somesuch applications, white blood cells are made to auto-fluoresce byexciting the white blood cells with light that is transmitted from oneof the light sources (e.g. using an excitation signal of 250-370 nm,250-265 nm, and/or 366-436 nm), e.g., in accordance with techniquesdescribed in “Natural fluorescence of white blood cells: spectroscopicand imaging study,” by Monici et al. (Journal of Photochemistry andPhotobiology B:Biology 30 (1995) 29-37). Typically, the presence and/orclassification of white blood cells is identified by the computerprocessor detecting a characteristic signature in the auto-fluorescencesignal (e.g., a signature that includes three or more spectralcomponents that have characteristic relationships with each other), inaccordance with the techniques described herein. For some applications,the computer processor determines a level of infection of the subject'sgastrointestinal tract based upon the auto-fluorescence signal of thewhite blood cells. For some such applications, in response thereto, thecomputer processor generates an output indicating that the subject iscurrently suffering from a condition such as inflammatory bowel diseaseand/or dysentery, and/or predicting an upcoming event related to such acondition. Alternatively or additionally, the computer processor maygenerate an output recommending that the subject see a healthcareprofessional.

For some applications, the apparatus and methods described herein areused, mutatis mutandis, to detect bodily secretions such as bile, iron,vitamins (such as vitamin A, vitamin B, and/or vitamin D), and/orhormones (such as cortisol, and/or human chorionic gonadotropin).Typically, the bodily secretion is detected by the computer processordetecting a set of three or more spectral components that have acharacteristic relationship with each other in the light spectrum (e.g.,transmission spectrum, reflectance spectrum, absorption spectrum, and/orfluorescence spectrum) of the bodily secretion, e.g., using thetechniques described hereinabove. For some applications, the bodilysecretion is detected by the computer processor detecting a set of twoor more spectral components that have a characteristic relationship witheach other in the light spectrum of the bodily secretion. Typically, thespectral components are within the ultraviolet, visible and/or nearinfrared light regions of the spectrum. For some applications, thedetected spectral components are due to fluorescence of the bodilysecretion. For some applications, the apparatus and methods describedherein are used to detect the amount and/or concentration of a vitaminthat is present in a bodily emission (e.g., urine or feces). For someapplications, in response thereto, the apparatus and methods describedherein are used to detect overuse of the vitamin by the subject.

For some applications, the apparatus and methods described herein areused, mutatis mutandis, to detect color and/or texture of a subject'sfeces, and/or to detect color and/or textural changes of the subject'sfeces over time. For some applications, the presence or concentration ofany one of the above-described bodily secretions is detected by thecomputer processor detecting the color and/or texture of the subject'sfeces, and/or by detecting color and/or textural changes of thesubject's feces over time.

Physiological conditions (such as stress, exertion, pregnancy, etc.), aswell as certain pathologies (such as celiac disease, diabetes, mentaldisorders, hypolactasia, hepatitis, hepatobiliary disease, inflammatorybowel disease, malabsorption syndrome, allergies, inflammation,autoimmune syndromes, etc.) impact the color and/or texture of feces.Therefore, for some applications, at least partially in response to thedetected color and/or texture of a subject's feces, and/or the detectedcolor and/or textural changes of the subject's feces over time, thecomputer processor identifies that the subject is undergoing one or morephysiological conditions (such as stress, exertion, pregnancy, etc.).For some applications, at least partially in response to the detectedcolor and/or texture of a subject's feces, and/or the detected colorand/or textural changes of the subject's feces over time, the computerprocessor identifies that the subject is suffering from one or morepathologies (such as celiac disease, diabetes, a mental disorder,hypolactasia, hepatitis, hepatobiliary disease, inflammatory boweldisease, malabsorption syndrome, allergies, inflammation, autoimmunesyndromes, etc.). For some applications, at least partially in responseto the detected color and/or texture of a subject's feces, and/or thedetected color and/or textural changes of the subject's feces over time,the computer processor generates an alert indicating that a subjectsuffering from inflammatory bowel disease may undergo an episode.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a graph showing arelationship between the transmission of light at 800 nm by blood, andthe time period over which the blood aged in anaerobic conditions inminutes, as measured by the inventors of the present application, and asused, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. A0.5 ml blood sample was taken from a healthy adult under the age of 45.The sample was then diluted with a phosphate buffered saline (“PBS”)solution that was enriched with carbon dioxide, at a ratio of one-partblood to 10-parts carbon dioxide enriched PBS solution. The sample wasthen placed in a Tecan Infinite® 200 PRO plate reader in 200 nm-1000 nmtransmission spectrometry mode and tested for transmission changes overtime, for a total of 3 hours 25 minutes.

FIG. 11 shows the variation between the transmission at 800 nm with theage of the blood sample. It may be observed that there is a linearrelationship between the transmission intensity and the age of theblood, with the transmission intensity decreasing as a function of thetime period over which the blood has aged in anaerobic conditions

Reference is also made to FIG. 12, which shows the optical transmissionspectra of blood that was aged over respective time periods in anaerobicconditions, as measured in the above-described experiment, and as used,in accordance with some applications of the present invention. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 11, at 800 nm for example, there is adecrease in the transmission intensity as the blood ages. Similarly,with reference to FIG. 12, at other wavelengths within spectral region C(i.e., between approximately 590 nm and 1000 nm), and at wavelengthswithin spectral region A (i.e., between approximately 480 nm and 520 nm)there is a decrease in the transmission intensity as the blood ages. Bycontrast, as shown in FIG. 12, within the spectral region B (i.e.,between approximately 520 nm and 590 nm), blood has generally similartransmission intensity, regardless of the time period over which theblood has aged in anaerobic conditions.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13, which is a graph showing arelationship between (a) the transmission of light at 800 nm by blood,the transmission having been normalized by light transmission at otherwavelengths, and (b) the age of the blood in minutes, as measured by theinventors of the present application, and as used, in accordance withsome applications of the present invention. As described with referenceto FIG. 12, within certain spectral regions (e.g., regions A and C inFIG. 12), the transmission of blood varies as the time periods overwhich the blood has aged in anaerobic conditions increases, while inother spectral regions (e.g., region B in FIG. 12), blood has generallysimilar transmission intensity, regardless of the time period over whichthe blood has aged in anaerobic conditions. If the transmission at whichwavelengths at which the transmission varies with the age of the bloodis normalized with respect to the transmission at wavelengths at whichthe transmission remains constant, then it follows that this shouldprovide a good indication of the age of the blood, the indication beingindependent of the absolute transmission that is detected.

Therefore, using the results measured in the above-described experiment,the transmission detected at 800 nm for each of the ages of the bloodwas normalized by calculating the ratio of the transmission at 800 nm tothe transmission at (a) 535-545 nm, (b) 555-565 nm, and (c) 575-585. Themean of these ratios was then calculated to provide a normalized measureof transmission detected at 800 nm for each of the ages of the blood.FIG. 13 shows a plot of the normalized transmission intensity at 800 nmagainst the time over which the blood was aged in anaerobic conditions.It may be observed that there is a linear relationship between thenormalized intensity at 800 nm and the time over which the blood aged inanaerobic conditions, with the transmission intensity decreasing as afunction of the time period over which the blood has aged in anaerobicconditions. The above-described results indicate that the transmissionintensity of blood that is within a bodily emission could be used toprovide an indication of how long the blood has aged in anaerobicconditions, and thereby provide an indication of a source of the bloodfrom within the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, if the transmissionintensity at certain wavelengths (e.g., those within regions A and C ofFIG. 12) are normalized with respect to the transmission intensity atother wavelengths (e.g., those within region B of FIG. 12), this couldbe used to provide an indication of how long the blood has aged inanaerobic conditions that is independent of absolute transmissionintensity.

In accordance with the above-described results, for some applications ofthe present invention, apparatus 20 (shown in FIG. 1) is used to detectblood within feces, for example, using the techniques describedhereinabove. For some applications, the apparatus is additionallyconfigured to determine a source of the blood from within the subject'sgastrointestinal tract (e.g., whether the blood is from an uppergastrointestinal tract bleeding site, which might indicate that thesubject has polyps, or from a lower bleeding site, which may be due toan anal injury, for example). In response thereto, the apparatustypically generates an output. For example, the apparatus may generatean alert indicating that the subject should visit a healthcareprofessional in response to detecting blood from an uppergastrointestinal tract bleeding site.

Typically, as blood within feces passes through the gastrointestinaltract it is within an anaerobic environment. Therefore, for someapplications, the results demonstrated in FIGS. 11-13 are implemented indetermining the source of blood within feces. Typically, computerprocessor 44 normalizes (a) the intensities of one or more spectralcomponents that are within a range of 480-520 nm (corresponding toregion A of FIG. 12) and/or 590-1000 nm (corresponding to region C ofFIG. 12) with respect to (b) the intensities of one or more spectralcomponents that are within a range of 520-590 nm (corresponding toregion B of FIG. 12). Typically, the computer processor determines theage of the blood based upon the normalized intensities. For someapplications, the computer processor determines the source of blood thatis present in the feces from within the gastrointestinal tract, and inresponse thereto, generates an output. For example, the computerprocessor may generate an indication of a presence of blood within thefeces as well as an indication of a likely source of the blood, anindication of a predicted upcoming episode (e.g., an inflammatory boweldisease episode), and/or an indication that the subject should see ahealthcare professional.

For example, a ratio between (a) the intensity of a spectral componentthat has a wavelength of between approximately 480 nm and 520 nm(corresponding to region A of FIG. 12) and (b) the intensity of aspectral component that has a wavelength of between approximately 520 nmand 590 nm (corresponding to region B of FIG. 12) may be determined.Alternatively or additionally, a ratio between (a) the intensity of aspectral component that has a wavelength of between approximately 590 nmand 1000 nm (corresponding to region C of FIG. 12) and (b) the intensityof a spectral component that has a wavelength of between approximately520 nm and 590 nm (corresponding to region B of FIG. 12) may bedetermined. For some applications, an average (e.g., a mean, or aweighted mean) of two or more such ratios is determined. For someapplications, three or more spectral components are detected, and arelationship between their intensities is determined in order todetermine the source of blood within feces. For example, a first one ofthe components may have a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm(corresponding to region A of FIG. 12), the second component may have awavelength of between approximately 520 nm and 590 nm (corresponding toregion B of FIG. 12), and the third component may have a wavelength ofbetween approximately 590 nm and 1000 nm (corresponding to region C ofFIG. 12).

For some applications, as an alternative to, or in addition to,analyzing the spectral profile of the blood within the feces, apparatus20 analyzes the spatial distribution of the blood within the feces, inorder to determine the source of the blood from within thegastrointestinal tract. For example, the computer processor may analyzethe extent to which the blood is spread throughout the feces, and/or thelocation of the blood within the feces. Typically, in response todetecting that the blood is evenly spread, the system determines thatthe source of the blood is from the upper colorectal tract, within whichfeces are relatively fluidic, such that the blood can spread evenly, andwithin which peristalsis mixes the feces and the blood. Furthertypically, in response to detecting the blood is disposed withinisolated volumes within the feces, the system determines that the sourceof the blood is from a downstream bleeding site within the colorectaltract, where the feces are typically more solid, such that the bloodcannot spread evenly through the feces as a result of peristalticmixing, which results in the blood being spread more irregularly throughthe feces. Still further typically, if the blood is smeared onto thesurface of the feces or diffused in the water of the toilet bowl, thesystem determines that source of the blood is from adjacent to and/or atthe rectum.

In accordance with the description of FIG. 1, typically, in order toperform the above-described steps, the subject is not required tophysically touch the feces. Furthermore, the subject is typically onlyrequired to touch any portion of the dedicated sensing apparatusperiodically, for example, in order to install the device, or to changeor recharge the device batteries. (It is noted that the subject mayhandle the user interface device, but this is typically a device (suchas a phone) that subject handles even when not using the sensingapparatus.) Further typically, performance of the above-described stepsdoes not require adding anything to the toilet bowl subsequent to thesubject emitting a bodily emission into the toilet bowl, in order tofacilitate the spectral analysis of the emission, a determination thatthe emission contains blood, and/or determination of a source of theblood. For some applications, the subject is not required to perform anyaction after installation of the apparatus in the toilet bowl. Thetesting is automatic and handled by the apparatus, and monitoring of thesubject's emissions is seamless to the subject and does not requirecompliance by the subject, so long as no abnormality is detected.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14, which is a scatter plot on whichratios of light intensities that were reflected from stool sampleshaving respective volumes of blood mixed therewith are plotted, asmeasured by the inventors of the present application, and as used, inaccordance with some applications of the present invention.

As described hereinabove, for some applications of the presentinvention, two or more spectral bands are detected that are centeredaround approximately 540 nm, 565 nm, and 575 nm. For some applications,the detected spectral components are analyzed by calculating ratios ofthe intensities of respective components with respect to one another.For example, the ratio of the intensity of a 10 nm band centered around565 nm, to the intensity of a 10 nm band centered around 575 nm(I(565)/I(575)) may be calculated, and/or the ratio of the intensity ofa 10 nm band centered around 565 nm, to the intensity of a 10 nm bandcentered around 540 nm (I(565)/I(540)) may be calculated. In response tothe spectral analysis, the computer processor detects blood within abodily emission and generates an output, for example, on user interfacedevice 32.

An experiment was conducted in which 30 samples of 100g of feces weremixed with 4 different doses of blood: 0 microliters, 125 microliters,250 microliters, and 500 microliters. For each of the samples, theaforementioned intensity ratios (I(565)/I(575) and I(565)/I(540)) weremeasured. FIG. 14 shows a scatter plot of the intensity ratios asrecorded for each of the samples. The results for the samples with 0microliters of blood are indicated with triangular markers and thelinear trendline for such samples is indicated by a dashed and dottedline. The results for the samples with 125 microliters of blood areindicated with circular markers and the linear trendline for suchsamples is indicated by the dashed line with the large dashes. Theresults for the samples with 250 microliters of blood are indicated withdiamond markers and the linear trendline for such samples is indicatedby the dashed line with the small dashes. The results for the sampleswith 500 microliters of blood are indicated with square markers and thelinear trendline for such samples is indicated by the dotted line. Theresults shown in FIG. 14 indicate that intensity ratios as describedherein can be indicative not only of the presence of blood in a bodilyemission (such as urine or feces), but also of the amount (e.g.,concentration, or volume) of the blood in the emission.

Therefore, in accordance with some applications of the presentinvention, spectral bands that are centered around a wavelength that isin the range of 530 nm to 785 nm (e.g., between 530 nm and 600 nm) aredetected within a bodily emission (such as urine or feces) that isdisposed within a toilet bowl, in accordance with the techniquesdescribed hereinabove. Typically, two or more spectral bands aredetected that are centered around approximately 540 nm, 565 nm, and 575nm. The widths of the spectral bands are typically greater than 3 nm(e.g., greater than 5 nm, or greater than 8 nm), and/or less than 40 nm(e.g., less than 20 nm, or less than 12 nm), e.g., between 3 and 40 nm,between 5 and 20 nm, or between 8 and 12 nm. For some applications, oneor more ratios of the intensities of the aforementioned spectral bandswith respect to one another are determined by the computer processor.For example, the ratio of the intensity of the spectral band that iscentered around approximately 565 nm to that of the band centered aroundapproximately 575 nm (or vice versa) may be determined, and/or the ratioof the intensity of the spectral band that is centered aroundapproximately 565 nm to that of the band centered around approximately540 nm (or vice versa) may be determined. For some applications, adifferent relationship between the intensities of the aforementionedspectral bands with respect to one another is determined by the computerprocessor. For some applications, a relationship between a parameter ofthe respective spectral bands other than intensity is determined. Forsome applications, other spectral bands that are indicative of blood aremeasured. For example, a spectral band centered around approximately 425nm (e.g., between 420 and 430 nm) and/or a spectral band centered aroundapproximately 500 nm (e.g., between 490 and 510 nm) may be detected andused in a generally similar manner.

In response to the above-described measurements, the computer processordetermines (a) that there is a presence of blood within the bodilyemission, and (b) estimates the amount (e.g., concentration or volume)of the blood within the bodily emission. Typically, the computerprocessor generates an output in response to the estimated concentration(for example, on user interface device 32). For example, the computerprocessor may generate an output recommending that the subject shouldsee a healthcare professional, or an output indicating a predictedupcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

Applications of the invention described herein can take the form of acomputer program product accessible from a computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium) providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any instruction execution system, such as computer processor44, or a computer processor of user interface device 32. For the purposeof this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium canbe any apparatus that can comprise, store, communicate, propagate, ortransport the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system(or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Typically, thecomputer-usable or computer readable medium is a non-transitorycomputer-usable or computer readable medium.

Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor orsolid-state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, arandom-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magneticdisk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks includecompact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W)and DVD. For some applications, cloud storage is used.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor (e.g., computer processor 44,or a computer processor of user interface device 32) coupled directly orindirectly to memory elements (e.g., memory 46, or a memory of userinterface device 32) through a system bus. The memory elements caninclude local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storageof at least some program code in order to reduce the number of timescode must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. The systemcan read the inventive instructions on the program storage devices andfollow these instructions to execute the methodology of the embodimentsof the invention.

Network adapters may be coupled to the processor to enable the processorto become coupled to other processors or remote printers or storagedevices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cablemodem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available typesof network adapters.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object-oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the C programming language or similar programminglanguages.

It will be understood that blocks of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 andcombinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer (e.g., computer processor 44, or a computer processor ofuser interface device 32) or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or algorithms described in the present application.These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium) that can direct a computer or other programmable data processingapparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructionsstored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufactureincluding instruction means which implement the function/act specifiedin the flowchart blocks and algorithms. The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to beperformed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/oralgorithms described in the present application.

Computer processor 44 and the other computer processors described hereinare typically hardware devices programmed with computer programinstructions to produce a special purpose computer. For example, whenprogrammed to perform the algorithms described with reference to FIG. 7,the computer processor typically acts as a special purposebodily-emission-analysis computer processor. Typically, the operationsdescribed herein that are performed by computer processors transform thephysical state of a memory, which is a real physical article, to have adifferent magnetic polarity, electrical charge, or the like depending onthe technology of the memory that is used.

There is provided, in accordance with some applications of the presentinvention, the following inventive concepts:

-   Inventive concept 1. A method for use with a bodily emission of a    subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method    comprising:

while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, receivinglight from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors;

using a computer processor:

-   -   detecting a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light        absorption spectrum of a component of blood, by analyzing the        received light;    -   in response thereto, determining that there is a presence of        blood within the bodily emission; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

-   Inventive concept 2. The method according to inventive concept 1,    wherein the bodily emission includes feces, and wherein determining    that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission    comprises determining that there is a presence of blood within the    feces.

-   Inventive concept 3. The method according to inventive concept 1,    wherein the bodily emission includes urine, and wherein determining    that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission    comprises determining that there is a presence of blood within the    urine.

-   Inventive concept 4. The method according to inventive concept 1,    wherein detecting the set of three or more spectral components that    have the characteristic relationship with each other in the light    absorption spectrum of the component of blood comprises detecting a    set of three or more spectral components that have a characteristic    relationship with each other in a light absorption spectrum of a    component of blood selected from the group consisting of:    oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin,    heme, and platelets.

-   Inventive concept 5. Apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a    subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device,    the apparatus comprising:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toiletbowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   detect a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light        absorption spectrum of a component of blood, by analyzing the        received light;    -   in response thereto, determine that there is a presence of blood        within the bodily emission; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

-   Inventive concept 6. The apparatus according to inventive concept 5,    wherein the bodily emission includes feces, and wherein the computer    processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of    blood within the bodily emission by determining that there is a    presence of blood within the feces.

-   Inventive concept 7. The apparatus according to inventive concept 5,    wherein the bodily emission includes urine, and wherein the computer    processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of    blood within the bodily emission by determining that there is a    presence of blood within the urine.

-   Inventive concept 8. The apparatus according to inventive concept 5,    wherein the computer processor is configured to detect the set of    three or more spectral components that have the characteristic    relationship with each other in the light absorption spectrum of the    component of blood by detecting a set of three or more spectral    components that have a characteristic relationship with each other    in a light absorption spectrum of a component of blood selected from    the group consisting of: oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin,    methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, heme, and platelets.

-   Inventive concept 9. Apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a    subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device,    the apparatus comprising:

one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from thetoilet bowl, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toiletbowl; and

a computer processor configured to:

-   -   detect a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light        absorption spectrum of a component of blood, by analyzing the        received light;    -   in response thereto, estimate an amount of blood within the        bodily emission; and    -   generate an output on the output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

-   Inventive concept 10. The apparatus according to inventive concept    9, wherein the computer processor is configured to estimate the    amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating a    concentration of blood within the bodily emission.

-   Inventive concept 11. The apparatus according to inventive concept    9, wherein the computer processor is configured to estimate the    amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating a volume of    blood within the bodily emission.

-   Inventive concept 12. The apparatus according to inventive concept    9, wherein the bodily emission includes feces, and wherein the    computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood    within the bodily emission by estimating an amount of blood within    the feces.

-   Inventive concept 13. The apparatus according to inventive concept    9, wherein the bodily emission includes urine, and wherein the    computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood    within the bodily emission by estimating an amount of blood within    the urine.

-   Inventive concept 14. The apparatus according to inventive concept    9, wherein the computer processor is configured to detect the set of    three or more spectral components that have the characteristic    relationship with each other in the light absorption spectrum of the    component of blood by detecting a set of three or more spectral    components that have a characteristic relationship with each other    in a light absorption spectrum of a component of blood selected from    the group consisting of: oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin,    methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, heme, and platelets.

-   Inventive concept 15. A method for use with a bodily emission of a    subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method    comprising:

while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, receivinglight from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors;

using a computer processor:

-   -   detecting a set of three or more spectral components that have a        characteristic relationship with each other in a light        absorption spectrum of a component of blood, by analyzing the        received light;    -   in response thereto, estimating an amount of blood within the        bodily emission; and    -   generating an output on an output device, at least partially in        response thereto.

-   Inventive concept 16. The method according to inventive concept 15,    wherein estimating the amount of blood within the bodily emission    comprises estimating a concentration of blood within the bodily    emission.

-   Inventive concept 17. The method according to inventive concept 15,    wherein estimating the amount of blood within the bodily emission    comprises estimating a volume of blood within the bodily emission.

-   Inventive concept 18. The method according to inventive concept 15,    wherein the bodily emission includes feces, and wherein estimating    the amount of blood within the bodily emission comprises estimating    an amount of blood within the feces.

-   Inventive concept 19. The method according to inventive concept 15,    wherein the bodily emission includes urine, and wherein estimating    the amount of blood within the bodily emission comprises estimating    an amount of blood within the urine.

-   Inventive concept 20. The method according to inventive concept 15,    wherein detecting the set of three or more spectral components that    have the characteristic relationship with each other in the light    absorption spectrum of the component of blood comprises detecting a    set of three or more spectral components that have a characteristic    relationship with each other in a light absorption spectrum of a    component of blood selected from the group consisting of:    oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin,    heme, and platelets.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and subcombinations of the various featuresdescribed hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereofthat are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled inthe art upon reading the foregoing description.

1. Apparatus for use with feces of a subject that are disposed within atoilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus comprising: one or morelight sensors that are configured to receive light from the toilet bowl,while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl; and a computerprocessor configured to: determine that there is a presence of bloodwithin the feces, by analyzing the received light; determine a source ofthe blood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tract, by:measuring an intensity of a first spectral component, within thereceived light, the first spectral component being centered around awavelength selected from the group consisting of: a wavelength ofbetween 590 nm and 1000 nm, and a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520nm; measuring an intensity of a second spectral component, within thereceived light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 520 and590 nm; and normalizing the measured intensity of the first spectralcomponent with respect to the measured intensity of the second spectralcomponent; and generate an output on the output device, at leastpartially in response thereto.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the computer processor is further configured to determine thesource of the blood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tract, bymeasuring an extent to which the blood is spread throughout the feces.3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer processor isfurther configured to determine the source of the blood from within thesubject's gastrointestinal tract, by measuring a location of the bloodwithin the feces.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecomputer processor is configured to generate an output by generating anoutput indicating that the subject should visit a healthcareprofessional.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecomputer processor is configured to generate an output by generating anoutput indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel diseaseepisode.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe computer processor is configured to measure the intensity of thefirst spectral component by measuring an intensity of a first spectralcomponent, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 590 nm and 1000 nm.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the computer processor is configured to measure theintensity of the first spectral component by measuring an intensity of afirst spectral component, within the received light, that is centeredaround a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the computer processor is configured tonormalize the measured intensity of the first spectral component withrespect to the measured intensity of the second spectral component bycalculating a ratio between the measured intensity of the first spectralcomponent and the measured intensity of the second spectral component.10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the computer processoris configured to measure the intensity of the first spectral componentby measuring an intensity of a first spectral component, within thereceived light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 480 nmand 520 nm.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the computerprocessor is configured to measure the intensity of the first spectralcomponent by measuring an intensity of a first spectral component,within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength ofbetween 590 nm and 1000 nm.
 12. A method for use with feces of a subjectthat are disposed within a toilet bowl, the method comprising: receivinglight from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors, while thefeces are disposed within the toilet bowl; and using a computerprocessor: determining that there is a presence of blood within thefeces, by analyzing the received light; determining a source of theblood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tract, by: measuring anintensity of a first spectral component, within the received light, thefirst spectral component being centered around a wavelength selectedfrom the group consisting of: a wavelength of between 590 nm and 1000nm, and a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm; measuring anintensity of a second spectral component, within the received light,that is centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm; andnormalizing the measured intensity of the first spectral component withrespect to the measured intensity of the second spectral component; andgenerating an output on an output device, at least partially in responsethereto.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining thesource of the blood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tractfurther comprises measuring an extent to which the blood is spreadthroughout the feces.
 14. The method according to claim 12, whereindetermining the source of the blood from within the subject'sgastrointestinal tract further comprises measuring a location of theblood within the feces.
 15. The method according to claim 12, whereingenerating the output comprises generating an output indicating that thesubject should visit a healthcare professional.
 16. The method accordingto claim 12, wherein generating the output comprises generating anoutput indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel diseaseepisode.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The method according to claim 12, whereinmeasuring the intensity of the first spectral component comprisesmeasuring the intensity of a first spectral component, within thereceived light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 590 nmand 1000 nm.
 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein measuring theintensity of the first spectral component comprises measuring theintensity of a first spectral component, within the received light, thatis centered around a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm.
 20. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein normalizing the measured intensityof the first spectral component with respect to the measured intensityof the second spectral component comprises calculating a ratio betweenthe measured intensity of the first spectral component and the measuredintensity of the second spectral component.
 21. The method according toclaim 20, wherein measuring the intensity of the first spectralcomponent comprises measuring the intensity of a first spectralcomponent, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm.
 22. The method according toclaim 20, wherein measuring the intensity of the first spectralcomponent comprises measuring the intensity of a first spectralcomponent, within the received light, that is centered around awavelength of between 590 nm and 1000 nm. 23-59. (canceled) 60.Apparatus for use with feces of a subject that are disposed within atoilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus comprising: one or morelight sensors that are configured to receive light from the toilet bowl,while the feces are disposed within the toilet bowl; and a computerprocessor configured to: determine that there is a presence of bloodwithin the feces, by analyzing the received light; determine a source ofthe blood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tract, by measuringan extent to which the blood is spread throughout the feces; andgenerate an output on the output device, at least partially in responsethereto.